# King Cobra (DD-163)

> The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, reaching about 5.5 m, with a record of about 5.85 m. It lives in forests from India through Southeast Asia to southern China and Indonesia. When threatened it raises the front of its body and spreads a hood formed by elongated ribs and loose skin. It feeds mainly on other snakes. In 2024, researchers proposed splitting it into four species. The footage shows king cobras raising their hoods, with the presenter.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-01-05
- Last updated: 2024-01-05
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-cobra/
- Original Reel title: King Cobra 🐍
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-163-F01**: It's the longest venomous snake. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Longest venomous snake))_
- **DD-163-F02**: It reaches about 5.5 m. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Length))_

## Write-up

King cobras can grow past 5 m long. The hood is spread by ribs and loose skin.

1. **Longest venomous snake**: It's the longest venomous snake.
2. **Length**: It reaches about 5.5 m.
3. **Range**: It lives from India to Southeast Asia.
4. **Hood**: The hood is formed by ribs and loose skin.
5. **Snake eater**: It mainly eats other snakes.

## Related case files

- [Snake Supreme (DD-694)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/snake-supreme/): I linked another record-setting snake
- [These Cats Are Climbing (DD-160)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/these-cats-are-climbing/): I linked another top predator
- [Sea Cows (DD-162)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/sea-cows/): I linked more tropical Asian wildlife

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Native to the forests of Southeast Asia, including India': India is in South Asia; the range covers South and Southeast Asia.

## Video: King Cobra: King Cobras Can Grow Past 5 m Long

- Duration: 29.2 s · Published: 2024-01-05
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1upzczJC-l.mp4

### Transcript

The King Cobra holds the title of the world's longest venomous snake. DID YOU KNOW? This impressive reptile is native to the forests of Southeast Asia including India, southern China, and the Indonesian archipelago. Reaching lengths of up to 18 feet or 5.5 meters the king cobra stands out not just for its size but also for its iconic appearance. It has distinctive hood markings and is capable of raising its body off the ground when threatened creating an intimidating spectacle. The hood is a result of expanded ribs and loose skin forming a flattened iconic NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What is the king cobra known for?**  
A: Up to about 5.5 m. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Longest venomous snake) · Wikipedia: King cobra)_

**Q: Where does it live?**  
A: Forests. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Length) · Wikipedia: King cobra)_

**Q: What forms the hood?**  
A: Spread when threatened. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Range) · Wikipedia: King cobra)_

**Q: What does it mainly eat?**  
A: Its genus name means snake-eater. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hood) · Wikipedia: King cobra)_

**Q: What was proposed in 2024?**  
A: New research. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Snake eater) · Wikipedia: King cobra)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: King cobra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cobra)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "King Cobra." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-163, last updated Jan 5, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-cobra/